Best Laura Fawks Lapole Podcasts (2025)

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This Snail Built Its Own Metal Armor (Thanks, Volcanoes) 8:09

10d ago8:09

8:09

Send us a text In this Volcano Minisode, Katy introduces one of the most extreme animals on Earth: the scaly-foot gastropod, a deep-sea snail that literally builds metal armor from volcanic hydrothermal vents. Found over a mile below the ocean’s surface, this snail survives crushing pressure, toxic heat, and total darkness—all thanks to a symbiotic…

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Obsidian: The Sharpest Rock on Earth (and in Surgery) 7:44

25d ago7:44

7:44

Send us a text Subscribe and unleash your inner science goblin. We see you. We respect it. In this third Volcano Minisode, Katy digs into one of the coolest things a volcano has ever made: obsidian—a rock so sharp it's been shaping human history for 30,000 years and is still used in modern surgery. 🔪🖤 🌋 What exactly is obsidian and how is it formed…

1
The Hidden Caves Beneath Antarctica’s Volcanoes 7:31

1M ago7:31

7:31

Send us a text In this second Volcano Minisode, Laura dives deep (literally) into one of Antarctica’s strangest secrets: how volcanic heat has carved out entire networks of hidden ice caves—warm, alien worlds tucked under the frozen surface. 🧊🔥 🌋 Why does Antarctica have 18 volcanoes? 🌡 How can you go from -30°F outside to 70°F inside a cave? 🧬 Wha…

1
A Volcano Buried the World’s Largest Pyramid?! 13:42

1M ago13:42

13:42

Send us a text In the first Volcano Minisode of our season break, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole uncover one of the wildest stories you've probably never heard: how an active volcano in Mexico accidentally buried—and preserved—the world’s largest pyramid. Yes, really. 🌋 What is Popocatépetl, and why is it still puffing smoke? 🏛 How did the Great…

1
Volcanoes: Agents of Chaos or Planet Builders? 39:52

2M ago39:52

39:52

Send us a text Subscribe and unleash your inner science goblin. We see you. We respect it. In this Season 11 finale of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole blow the lid off volcanoes—literally and figuratively. From earth-shaking eruptions and blue lava to the creation of entirely new islands, this episode dives into the molten madness…

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Cosmic Critters: The Chimp Who Survived Space—and Changed Everything 17:23

2M ago17:23

17:23

Send us a text In this out-of-this-world episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole tell the incredible—and deeply emotional—story of Ham the Chimp, the first hominid to survive spaceflight. 🧠 How was Ham trained to perform tasks during a rocket launch? 🚀 What made his 1961 mission so important to Project Mercury? 💔 And what did i…

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Cosmic Critters: The Spiders Who Spun Webs in Space 7:27

2M ago7:27

7:27

Send us a text In this out-of-this-world episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole unravel the story of two unexpected astronauts: Anita and Arabella, the garden spiders launched aboard Skylab 3 in 1973. 🕸️ Can spiders spin webs in zero gravity? 🕷️ How do they adapt without gravity to guide them? 🛰️ What can eight-legged astronau…

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Why We Sleep, Dream, and Lose Our Minds Without It 52:57

2M ago52:57

52:57

Send us a text Why do we sleep? What’s going on in our brains while we dream about flying bagels and dolphin taxis? In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole stay up late to explore the science of sleep, REM cycles, lucid dreaming, and why getting less than 5 hours can mess with your memory, mood, and metabolism. 🧠 From b…

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Cosmic Critters: The Monkey-nauts Who Paved the Way for Space Travel 13:46

2M ago13:46

13:46

Send us a text Before astronauts, there were monkeynauts. In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the bizarre and often tragic history of the first primates sent to space—Albert I, II, III, and IV. The U.S. was determined to test the limits of space travel, and what better way than by strapping a rhesus macaqu…

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Weather Gone Wild: Lightning, Haboobs, and Animal Rain—Oh My! 1:00:02

3M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Send us a text From sky-high lightning bolts that span hundreds of miles to walls of sand swallowing cities whole, extreme weather is wild—and sometimes, just plain weird. 🌩️💨 In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy and Laura break down some of nature’s most shocking meteorological events, including lightning that’s hotter than the sun, haboobs tha…

1
Cosmic Critters: The Frogs That Went to Space 13:54

3M ago13:54

13:54

Send us a text Frogs. In. Space. Yep, you read that right! In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole take you on a hilarious and mind-blowing journey into the weirdest space experiment you’ve probably never heard of—the Orbiting Frog Otolith mission. Back in the 1970s, NASA decided that launching two bullfrogs into orbit …

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Could You Train a Dinosaur? Science Says… Maybe! 1:16:51

3M ago1:16:51

1:16:51

Send us a text Could dinosaurs be the next great delivery workers, pest control experts, or even search-and-rescue heroes? In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole take a deep dive into the wild world of dinosaur training—imagining what it would take to turn prehistoric creatures into modern-day workers. From speedy comp…

1
Cosmic Critters: The Spacefaring Cat Who Defied Gravity 9:21

3M ago9:21

9:21

Send us a text Blast off into the strange world of space-bound critters with Wildly Curious! In this episode, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole uncover the bizarre true story of Félicette—the first (and only) cat launched into space. From rigorous astronaut training (including high-G centrifuge spins) to a suborbital flight with no windows, Félicet…

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Dinosaurs Uncovered: Myths, Misconceptions, and Mind-Blowing Discoveries 1:07:50

4M ago1:07:50

1:07:50

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy and Laura dive deep into the prehistoric past to separate dinosaur fact from fiction. From Hollywood myths to groundbreaking discoveries, they explore how our understanding of dinosaurs has evolved over time. Were all dinosaurs cold-blooded? Did they all go extinct at the same time? What even i…

1
Cosmic Critters: Laika—The Stray Who Became a Space Pioneer 10:01

4M ago10:01

10:01

Send us a text Blast off with Wildly Curious as Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole launch into the incredible story of Laika, the first living creature to orbit Earth. This fearless stray dog from the streets of Moscow became a space pioneer aboard Sputnik 2, forever changing our understanding of space travel. But her journey wasn’t just about scien…

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Freaky Freshwater Giants: Vampire Fish, Giant Salamanders, and More 1:06:32

4M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Send us a text Dive into the mysterious world of freshwater ecosystems with Wildly Curious! In this episode, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole uncover some of the strangest and most fascinating creatures lurking in rivers and lakes worldwide. From the razor-toothed vampire fish of the Amazon to the ancient Chinese giant salamander, and even the arm…

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The Gundestrup Cauldron: Mysteries of an Ancient Silver Treasure 10:22

5M ago10:22

10:22

Send us a text In this final episode of the Bog Banter mini-series, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole uncover the story of the Gundestrup Cauldron—a massive silver artifact found buried in a Danish bog. Dating back to 150 BC, this intricately carved cauldron features mysterious depictions of gods, warriors, and mythical creatures from Celtic …

1
Pickled Dinosaur Brains: A Fossilized Glimpse into Prehistoric Intelligence 5:56

5M ago5:56

5:56

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into a truly mind-boggling discovery—literally! Learn about the astonishing find of a fossilized dinosaur brain, uncovered in a tide pool in southern England. Preserved by bog-like conditions over 133 million years, this rare fossil reveals intricate deta…

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The Tale of Tollund Man: Unraveling Rituals and Mysteries of Iron Age Bogs 10:05

5M ago10:05

10:05

Send us a text In this eerie mini-sode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the hauntingly well-preserved story of the Tollund Man. Found in a Danish peat bog in 1950, this Iron Age figure still has intact skin, facial features, and even his last meal in his stomach! Katy and Laura explore the mysterious rituals surr…

1
Food Science for the Holidays: Staying Safe and Healthy 47:00

5M ago47:00

47:00

Send us a text In this festive episode of Wildly Curious, Laura sits down with food scientist Sarah Oster to explore the science behind staying safe in the kitchen during the holidays. From understanding the microbial risks of your favorite dishes to food safety tips that can prevent holiday disasters, Sarah shares insights from her 10+ years in fo…

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Bog Mysteries: Mummified Bodies and Frankenstein-Like Discoveries 11:18

6M ago11:18

11:18

Send us a text In this fascinating episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole unravel the eerie tale of ancient bog bodies found in South Uist, Scotland. These Bronze Age remains aren’t your typical archaeological find—they’re stitched-together puzzles of multiple individuals, preserved in bogs and buried beneath a 3,000-yea…

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Bog Chronicles: Butter, Bodies, and Bizarre Finds Beneath the Peat 13:42

6M ago13:42

13:42

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss teams up with a special guest (her son, Lukas!) to kick off a mini-series exploring the bizarre and fascinating things found in bogs. Discover the strange world of bog butter—a 3,500-year-old lump of butter preserved so well that it’s technically still edible. Learn why bogs are nature's …

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Exploring the World's Largest Cave: Son Doong’s Hidden Wonders 18:33

6M ago18:33

18:33

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole wrap up their cave mini-series with an awe-inspiring journey into Son Doong, the world’s largest cave located in Vietnam. Discovered in 1990 and mapped just over a decade ago, this cave is a geological marvel with skylights revealing lush rainforests, rivers w…

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ADHD Unmasked: Understanding Strengths, Struggles, and Science 1:22:59

6M ago1:22:59

1:22:59

Send us a text In this insightful episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive deep into the world of ADHD. From the brain’s unique wiring to the day-to-day challenges and incredible strengths of those with ADHD, this episode explores it all. Learn about the science behind impulsivity, forgetfulness, and hyperfocus, as we…

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Unearthing Cheddar Man: Britain’s Ancient Mystery and Modern Connections 9:36

7M ago9:36

9:36

Send us a text In this captivating episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole delve into the ancient history of Cheddar Man, a 9,000-year-old skeleton discovered in the Cheddar Gorge caves of England. Known for his unexpectedly dark skin, blue eyes, and curly hair, Cheddar Man has puzzled scientists and enthusiasts alike. Un…

1
Glow in the Dark: Bioluminescence Wonders of the Deep and Beyond 53:37

7M ago53:37

53:37

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence, exploring how animals, plants, fungi, and even bacteria light up the natural world. From deep-sea fish with built-in flashlights to fungi glowing in forests, discover the surprising science and evolution behi…

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Inside Mexico’s Giant Crystal Cave: Science and Survival Below the Surface 10:42

7M ago10:42

10:42

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole venture into one of Earth’s most extreme environments: the Cave of Crystals in Naica, Mexico. Discovered in 2000, this surreal underground world holds colossal gypsum crystals, some reaching over 30 feet in length and weighing as much as 55 tons. With temperat…

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Uncovering Subterranean Secrets: The Ancient Underground City of Derinkuyu 10:30

7M ago10:30

10:30

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole explore the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu, a massive subterranean metropolis in Turkey. Accidentally discovered in the 1960s, this hidden city could house up to 20,000 people and features everything from stables to chapels. Learn how this Byzantine-era marve…

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Could You Jump That? Sneaking Up on Nature’s Most(ly) Elusive Creatures 58:30

8M ago58:30

58:30

Send us a text In this laugh-out-loud episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole put their stealth skills to the test in a hilarious exploration of what animals they think they could sneak up on and jump. From cows to quokkas, and even houseflies, the duo breaks down the science, strategy, and surprises behind the animals' senses …

1
Unveiling the Qumran Caves: The Dead Sea Scrolls and Their Secrets 13:11

8M ago13:11

13:11

Send us a text Join Katy and L in this Wildly Curious episode as they dive into the Qumran Caves, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most significant finds in biblical archaeology. Discover the ancient Jewish sects, including the Essenes, who may have lived in these caves, and the remarkable manuscripts they left behind. From the Isaiah Scrol…

1
Mastering the Skies: The Secrets of Bird Flight Revealed 44:39

8M ago44:39

44:39

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the fascinating world of bird flight and explore the physics behind it. From the elegant gliding of the albatross to the record-breaking speed of the peregrine falcon and the astonishing agility of the hummingbird, t…

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Why We’re Changing Our Name: From For the Love of Nature to Wildly Curious 15:24

8M ago15:24

15:24

Send us a text In this special episode, hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the big decision behind changing the podcast name from For the Love of Nature to Wildly Curious. After 3.5 years of exploring quirky nature facts, science, and conservation, the hosts share why this renaming was crucial for expanding their reach and improving …

1
Unicorns of the Ice Age: The Cave That Rewrote History 13:44

8M ago13:44

13:44

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole continue their Cave Chronicles series by uncovering the remarkable discovery of the so-called Siberian unicorn. Found in a cave in Kazakhstan, this prehistoric animal was a massive, rhino-like creature that roamed the Earth…

1
Odd Animal Friends: Heartwarming Stories of Unlikely Companions 37:05

9M ago37:05

37:05

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole share heartwarming stories of odd animal friendships. From capybaras hanging out with birds to Koko the Gorilla’s special bond with her kitten All Ball, this episode dives into the unlikely companionships formed in the anim…

1
Secrets of a Sunless World: Inside Earth's Most Isolated Cave 10:22

9M ago10:22

10:22

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole kick off their mini-series on caves by exploring one of the most isolated and unique caves on Earth—Movile Cave in Romania. Discovered in 1986, this cave has been sealed off from the outside world for over 5 million years. …

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We're Back! Exploring Pocket-Sized Ecosystems in Nature 43:08

9M ago43:08

43:08

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole return after a break with an exploration of pocket-sized ecosystems, also known as microcosms. From tiny worlds hidden in moss to intricate ecosystems found in epiphytes, they discuss how these small habitats thrive and sup…

1
Call to Climate Action: he Biggest Challenge and What You Can Do 41:26

1+ y ago41:26

41:26

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. They break down what climate change really means, how it’s impacting our planet today, and what everyday people can do to help mitigate its effects. From t…

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Mournful Creatures: How Animals Grieve and Mourn the Dead 35:16

1+ y ago35:16

35:16

Send us a text Warning: this episode contains examples and anecdotes of death and loss regarding both humans and animals. In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole explore how animals, from elephants to lemurs, demonstrate behaviors that resemble mourning and grief. With anecdote…

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Tiny But Lethal: Nature’s Smallest Deadly Predators 48:52

1+ y ago48:52

48:52

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole explore some of the tiniest but most dangerous creatures in the natural world. From the venomous blue-ringed octopus to the ultra-efficient hunting tactics of the black-footed cat, they break down how small animals pack a b…

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Beastly Ballers Week…Idk 18:36

1+ y ago18:36

18:36

Send us a text Join Laura and Katy for....we don't know what week it is.....but this week on Beastly Ballers we're going to face off University of Georgia vs. University of Kentucky for college football. For the NFL this week, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the LA Rams......or is it the other way around? Find out who Laura and Katy pick and why th…

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Beastly Ballers - Week 3 12:33

1+ y ago12:33

12:33

Send us a text Week 3 of the football mascot battle is here! This week in college football it’s Colorado State vs Colorado, and in the NFL, Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts. Mascot Chaos vs Actual Reason, is tied in the series, so let’s see who will come out victorious in today’s episode! Support the show 🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the epi…

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Two Truths and a Lie Shark Edition: Can You Guess the Real Shark Facts? 46:13

1+ y ago46:13

46:13

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole play a fun game of "Two Truths and a Lie" featuring fascinating facts about sharks! From the lightning-fast shortfin mako to the terrifying bull shark, they challenge each other to separate fact from fiction. Tune in for so…

1
Beastly Ballers - Week 2 19:31

1+ y ago19:31

19:31

Send us a text Join Laura and Katy, hosts of For the Love of Nature, for a fun miniseries: Beastly Ballers. They will be joined by a special guest Donnie "Hail Mary Hootenanny" Martin, a football analyst, as they dive into the quirky world of college football and NFL predictions based on mascots. In this episode, they dissect the showdown between A…

1
Beastly Ballers - Week 1 17:13

1+ y ago17:13

17:13

Send us a text Join Laura and Katy, hosts of For the Love of Nature, for a fun miniseries: Beastly Ballers. They will be joined by a special guest Donnie "Baton Rouge Bruiser" Martin, a football analyst, as they dive into the quirky world of college football predictions based on mascots. In this episode, they dissect the showdown between North Caro…

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Green Energy: Exploring Solar, Geothermal, and Renewable Resources 43:20

2y ago43:20

43:20

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the world of green energy, discussing renewable resources like solar and geothermal power. From the basics of how these energy sources work to their benefits and challenges, Katy and Laura explore the role green e…

1
Animal Misconceptions: Debunking Common Myths in the Animal Kingdom 40:52

2y ago40:52

40:52

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole set out to bust some of the most common animal myths you've probably heard your whole life. Do bears really sleep all winter? Can chameleons change color to match their surroundings? Are goldfish really forgetful? Katy and …

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The Science Behind Disney: Separating Fact from Fiction 1:13:28

2y ago1:13:28

1:13:28

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dive into the world of Disney movies, exploring the scientific accuracies and inaccuracies hidden in your favorite animated films. From The Emperor’s New Groove to A Bug’s Life, the duo breaks down which Disney depictions o…

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Throwback! Could You Fight That? 1:00:44

2y ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Send us a text In this fun and fact-filled throwback episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole tackle the wild question: Could you fight that animal? From squaring off against a kangaroo to debating whether you could handle a goose, they discuss hypothetical animal showdowns, mixing humo…

1
Animal Chiropractic Care with Dr Lauren Alexander 44:58

2y ago44:58

44:58

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-host Laura Fawks Lapole sits down with Dr. Lauren Alexander, an animal chiropractor, to discuss the fascinating world of animal chiropractic care. Dr. Alexander shares her journey into this unique field, the education and certification process, and the incredible…

1
The Science of Fireworks: Exploding Chemistry and the History Behind the Spectacle 36:06

2y ago36:06

36:06

Send us a text In this episode of Wildly Curious (formerly For the Love of Nature), co-hosts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole celebrate Independence Day with a fiery exploration of fireworks. Katy takes listeners through the fascinating history of fireworks, from ancient Chinese alchemists to modern-day pyrotechnic displays, while Laura breaks dow…

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